9-4-2024
Public Arts Commission
September 4, 2024
6:00 PM
Fridley Civic Campus, 7071 University Ave N.E.
Minutes
Call to Order
6:00 PM
Present
Josh Collins
Gary Osterbauer
Kara Ruwart
Frank Sedzielarz
Maija Sedzielarz
Gary Swanson
Mayor, Scott Lund
Donna Bahls
Serge
Greg Gardner
Susan Blakeslee
Don Blakeslee
Guest:
Sue Gens, Director MN State Arts Board
Staff Liaison:
Scott Hickok
Absent
Ryan Fugleberg
Council Liaison: Ann Bolkcom
Approve of Meeting Minutes
Minutes approved as submitted
New Business
Mayor Lund invited and introduced Sue Jens from the State Arts Board to discuss our foundation,
Grants, State Funding. Those in attendance went around the room and introduced themselves and
identified their affiliation with the Arts Commission, or the Creative Arts Foundation.
Public Arts Commission Minutes Page 2
Meeting September 4, 2024
Sue Gens Provided an introduction of herself and a brief introduction of what the Minnesota State Arts
Board does and who it is staffed by. Gens indicated that the Board is an executive branch agency
established in 1903, by the State Legislature, as such is one of the oldest Arts Boards in the Country.
Gens continued, the organization makes grants to individuals and organizations throughout Minnesota.
The also serve as a statewide network for regional arts councils. They provide advice to various State
agencies regarding art. And, they manage the Minnesota Percent for Art in Public Places Program.
Gens indicated that in the 2022 – 2023 Biennium, the Arts Board and regional arts councils together
reviewed 7,624 grant applications, 5,309 grants were given, $80,507,604 dollars were awarded, and
24,68,934 people participated in funded activities. Of those participating $.3 Million were under 18 years
of age.
Gens stated that Public art creates a legacy and investment for future generations, celebrates heritage,
identity, and culture. Public art also helps us remember and creates gathering places.
The Minnesota Legislature established the state’s public art program in 1984. Minnesota Statute 16B.35,
states, “An appropriation for the construction or alteration of any State building may contain an amount
not to exceed one percent of the total appropriation for the building for the acquisition of works of art,
excluding landscaping, which may be part of its building or its grounds or capable of being displayed in
other state buildings. Money used for this purpose is available only for the acquisition of works of art to be
exhibited in areas of a building or its grounds accessible, on a regular basis, to members of the public.”
Funding Paths
Old Business
None
Other Items
Adjournment
7:53 PM
Respectfully submitted,
Scott Hickok
Recording Secretary